Resealable closure for ileostomy bag

ABSTRACT

A reusable, resealable, ileostomy or colostomy bag which may be emptied without removing the bag from the stoma of the user. Overlapping flexible panels of plastic material, which are sealingly connected at their sides, are sealed to the walls of the bag or pouch. Ribs integral with one panel are adapted to sealingly fit into channels formed by ribs on the other panel to provide a gas-impermeable and fluid-tight seal. The resilience of the panels permits them to be bent together along the line of sealing at the bottom of the bag. Finger pressure, oppositely directed along the closure, permits distension of the closure to its full opening, permitting fecal matter in the pouch to be dumped without contacting the same. To more securely seal the bottom of such a bag, a secondary sealing device is provided. Such a sealing device comprises mating sealing members on either side of a fold line at the bottom of the bag. The secondary seal is effected by folding the bottom of the bag one or more times and then fastening the mating sealing members.

United sms'patem 1191 Fenton i111 3,825,005 July 23, 1974 [5 RESEALABLE CLOSURE FOR ILEOSTOMY BAG [7'5] lnventori Leonard FentomBeachwood, Qhio [73] Assignee: Marlen Manufacturing and 1 Development Co., Bedford, Ohio 22] Filed:'. F'eb.2'6,1973' 21 Appl. 1 16.; 335,949. I

52 u.s.c1.....-.;; @128/283 Prim ar'y ExaminerCharles F. Rosenbaum Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Mcllenny, Farrington Pearne-& Gordon 7] ABSTRACT A reusable, resealable, ileostomy or colostomytbag which may be emptiedwithout removing the bag from the stoma of the user. Overlapping flexible panels of plastic materiaL: which are sealinglyconnected at their sides, are sealed to the walls, of the bag or pouch. Ribs integral with one panel are adapted to sealinglyfit into channels formed by ribs on the other panel to provide a gas-impermeable and fluid-tight seal. The resilience of the/panels permits them-to be bent together'along the line of sealing at the bottom of the bag. Finger pressure, oppositely directed along the closure, permits distension of the closure toit's full opening, permitting fecal matter in the pouch tobe dumped without contacting the same. 'To more securely seal the bottom of such a bag, a secondary sealingdevice is provided. Such a sealing device comprises mating sealing members on either side of a fold line at the bottom of the bag. The secondary seal is effectedby folding 1 the bottom of the bag one or more times and then fastening the mating sealing members.

12Claims 17 Drawing Figures 7 Y PATENTEDJIILNIQH 3.825.005

SHEET 2 [IF 5 charged through the stoma.

v 1 RESEALABLE CLOSURE FOR ILEOSTOMY BAG In another embodiment particularly adapted to a bedridden patient, a'post-operative pouch is provided with overlapping, easily distensible, flexible panels of plastic material which are sealingly connected at their sides. The panels are sealed, each to an opposite wall of the discharge end of the pouch. Horizontal ribs are 2 a tasks, without the persons being prey to the fear of a possible acutely embarrassing accident. To this end,

' the aforementionedUS. patents have provided various provided exteriorly'of each panel and are adapted to sealingly fit intochannels formed by horizontal ribs interiorly disposed on easily distensible panels at one end of an elongated sleeve or coupling member in fluid communication with an accumulator or receptacle for fecal matter, upon which theother end is removably secured. Easily distensible panels with matching seal able ribs provide a simple locking mechanism for the sleeve and discharge end of the post-operative pouch.

When the coupling member and thereceptacle are temporarily disconnected for emptying and cleansing, a cap which is provided with a similar'lockingjmechanism as the upper end of the sleeve is quickly pressed into service.

BACKGROUND or, THE INVENTION A colostomy is a surgical operation in which the patient's colon protrudes from the side of the abdomen as a short, stubby protrusion, referred to as the stoma,

through which. the contents of the colon are discharged, more or less involuntarily, and means must be provided to collect the fecal material thus discharge in an as sanitary and inoffensive manner as possible. A patient who has undergone an ileostomy'has no internal control over his discharge. To this. end, the patie'nt'usually employs a disposable ileostomyorcolostomy'bag,

' also referred to gas, a stoma ba'g or-fecal pouch. The pouch is ordinarily formed of a flexible sheet material that is impervious to fluids, such as sheet rubber, self-v supporting films, of thermoplastic synthetic resinous material, and the-like, aconventional bag comprising two side wall panels joined together along the top, both sides and along the bottomv edges of the side walls. One

of the side walls is formedwith an opening defined by a peripheral seal adapted to receive the stoma, the bag being demountably disposed on amounting means secured to the person, or the bag being adhesively secured to the skin surrounding the stoma. When properly applied to the person, the colostomy bag provides a gas-tight and fluid-tight receptacle for material disthe contents of the bag, simply because sealing of the opening of the bag around the mounting means after it 4 has been demounted is always problematical, if not impossible. lt is preferred to discharge the contents of the bag through an opening at the bottom, as described in the aforementioned U.S patent or in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,638,898; 2,778,362; or 3,507,282. Whatever the means for sealing the bottom of a fecal pouch, it is imperative that the closure be maintained at least fluidpreferably at. least two ribs integral therewith'disposed in a direetion orthogonal to the longitudinal .axis of the fluid-tight closures, each of which has its peculiar disadvantages whether it be difficulty in effecting the closure, inconvenience in emptying the bag, or an inability to empty the bag without contacting the fecal matter within the pouch.

Chiefly because of the last-mentioned reason, a popular colostomy bag has a disposable liner, as described in US. Pat. No. 3,089,493. The liner, which contains the fecal matter, is removed through a hinged opening at the top of the bag'and isdisposed of. A fresh liner is then inserted and the opening resealed. The opening is not subjected to any differn'etial pressure, whether it be fluid or gas, and there is no danger of fecal matters interfering .with the resealabilit'y of the closure. The instant invention overcomes ,the disadvantages of the prior art bags with respect tophysical contact of the contents of the pouch, and permits a more economical bag in that adisposable liner is unnecessary.

I At the present time, there is no convenient apparatus for collecting the fecal discharge of a bedridden patient in a manner otherthan that customarily used for an ambulatoryperson who has undergone an ileostomy or colostomy. It is desirable to have a convenient and cleanmethod for disposing of the fecal discharge of .such bedridden patients while in the prone position. The post-operative pouch, in combination 'with'an easily distensible sleeve coupling it to an accumulator, provides such a convenient and clean method.

suMMARY TH INVENTI N I have devised a reusable, resealable ileostomy or colostomy bag which may be emptied without being detached'from the abdomen of the user by f ngerpressure directed along the closure at the bottom of thebag. The

closure comprises two overlapping, resilientpanels of plastic material-sealingly connected at their side edges which are also sealingly connected along their upper edges,along'bottom sealing lines, toithe bottoms of op-' posite inner walls of a dual walled bag. Each panel has bag, so that the ribs define at least one channel, enabling a rib of one panel to fit into an oppositely juxtapositioned channel of the other panel to form a fluidtight, gas-impermeable, linear closure at the bottom of permeable. 'The overlapping panels forming thecon-l tight, despite the normal twisting, turning, and twitching motions of an average person going about his daily the panels. The overlapping upperportions of the panels form a constricting zone, which is selectively fluidstricting zone are so close together as to screen out globs of solid or semisolid matter, which, if permitted to be lodged in the channels of the panel, would interfere with the sealability ofthepouch; To more securely seal the bottom of such a bag, a secondary sealing device is provided, Such a sealing device comprises mat ing sealingmembers on either side of a fold line at the bottom of thebag. The 'secondaryseal iseffect'ed by "folding the bottom of the bag one or more times and then fastening the mating sealing members.

Particularly for the use of a bedridden patient, I have devised a post-operative pouch which may continuously discharge into a ground-supported accumulator for fecal matter through anelong'ated distensible coupling sleeve. The post-operative pouch is disposed on a prone, bedridden patient to drain downwardly into the upper end of the coupling sleeve which is provided with internal ribs adapted to fit into opposingly' juxtapositioned channels formed by externalribs on the discharge end of the ileostomy bag. The lower end of the coupling-sleeve is adapted to be'removably disposed in fluid-tight engagement upon theinlet of the accumulator which may be periodically emptied.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION-OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front view, partly broken away, of a preferred embodiment of the colostomy bag of my invention; v

FIG. 2 is a sectional side view of thebottom portion of the bag with the bottom closure means in its closed condition;

a FIG. 3 is a sectional side view along Iine'3'3 showlarged'scale, of the assembly shown, in FIG. 6, rotated FIG. 8 is a brokenfsection, frontelevation-of the discharge end" of the post-operative pouch temporarily capped;

FIG. 9 is a side sectional view, on anenlarged scale,

showing details offluid-tight interlocks ateach end of t the coupling sleeve in a non dis tended condition;

, FIG. 10 is, anenlargedsection view of the coupling" memberof FIG; 9 in a distended condition; y t FIG. 11 is a side elevational view on an enlarged scale, showing details of a fluid-tight cap which temporarily replaces the coupling sleeve;

FlG. l2 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of a colostomy bag having a secondary sealing device according to a further aspect of thisinvention, showing progressive bag foldingoperations in phantom outline} FIG. 13 is an elevational view of the bag shownin FIG. 12, showing in phantom outline the condition of the bag before and after the first folding operation, the 'plane of the view being indicated by the line l3l3.in FIG. 12;-

portion of of filrn'or thermoplastic synthetic resin or rubber-like P EFERRED EMBODIMENTOF' THE INVENTION A'fecal pouch may be made of any suitable selfsupporting, fluid-impervious material, such as a thin sheet material. The pouch may' be made from a single sheet forming a singlewalled pouch or from multiple sheets forming a dual-walled pouch, 'such asdescribed in my U.S. 'Pat. No. 3,385,298. Such a pouch is adapted to be supported by' a mounting device which receives the peripherally sealed opening inthe pouch and secures it thereon. Such amounting device is described in my U.S. Pat. 'No. 2,818,069. When the pouch has become weakened through long use, it may be easily'removed and replaced with a newone. Altemately, a pouch may be adhesivelysecured to the body of the user so as to form a fluid-tight seal around the stoma, which is in- FIG. 14 is a fragmentary, side elevational'view, partly in section, of a colostomy bag having a secondary sealing device according to'a ,still further aspect of this invention;

FIG, 15 is an elevational, view of the baglshown in FlG 14 showing in'phantom outline the condition of the bag before the first, after the tir st, and after the third folding operations;

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary, side elevational view, partly in section, of a colostomy bag havinga secondary seal ing'device according to a further aspectof this invenphantom outline; and,

'1 tion, showing progressive .bag foldingoperations in section, of the bag shown in FIG. 16, the plane of the view being indicated by the line 1.7-l7 in FIG. 16.

serted into the'op'ening of the pouch within the adhesively sealed-off area. It is immaterial for the purposes of the invention how the-instant'colostomy bag is mounted to receive the storna, as is the construction with respect to 'the number of walls, since colostomy bags of the type contemplated are-old in the art. Suffice it to say that once the pouch has been mounted for use on the body of the user, it need not be displaced for emptying. 7

FIG. '1 is a frontal elevation of a'dual-walled bag, shown generally at 10, adapted to be mounted on a mounting device (not shown) secured to the body of the user. It is of dual-walledconstruction, and is heat? sealed along the top and along its sidewalls'A peripheral sealll definesa circular stomareceiving opening 12 which has a single-thickness plastic circular flange 20 around the circularopening 12. Two panels14 and 15 of relatively stiff butflexible plastic material, such as polyethylene,"poly.vinyl chloride, or the like, -which may be about 10 mils thick, form 'a closure, referred 'to generally at 13, at thebottom or'discharge end of the bag. The panels 14 and 1-5 are each sealingly connected at least to opposite inner walls of the dual-walled pouch, and preferably heat-sealed to both walls along bottom'sealing-lines 16. The panels are sealingly connected at thei'r'sides at 17. A particular bag having one panel about'three-fourths inch high and the other panel about l'inch high has been found to be conveniently usable." The panels are in overlapping relationship with each other across-the bottom portion at thedischarge end of the bag. A typical bag has an openin gat the discharge end about 2.5 inches wide, acrosswhich open ing the closure is to be effected. This dimension of the opening at the discharge end which defines the closure is important, since a bigger closure is subject to forces' during normal movements and motions of the user whichare liable to disrupt the seal, and much smaller enclosures may be too small to distend easily and effectively when the bag is to be emptied. As is seen in FIGS.

2 and 3, the closure 1 3is formed by one panel having. at least two ribs or linear parallel protuberances 18 declosure for the bottom of the bagalt preferred that f other. Thus, each panel has at least one rib adapted to' fit into a juxtapositioned channel of the opposite panel, and preferably at least two ribs to fit into two parallel, juxtapositioned channels of the opposite panel to form a fluid-tight, gas-impermeable, linear closure, as illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 2. In such a preferred embodiment, upper portions of the panels above the interlocking ribs and channels-are sufficiently close together and sufficiently stiff so as to define a selectively fluidpermeable but glob-tight constrictive zone 19 which effectively screens out globs of fecal matter from being entrapped in the channels of the panels and interfering with the fluid-tight sealability of the closure.

As diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 3, an opened, cross sectional view of the closure shows the panels 14 and 15 withintegralchannelsand juxtapositioned ribs 18 and 21. The constrictive zone 19lies between the bottom sealing line 16 and the uppermost rib. The exaggerated drawings of FIGS. 2 and 3 are illustrative and do not show, in proper scale, the degree of constriction between the channels in the upper portion-of the closure 13. t I

The stiffness of the panels 14 and15 permits both panels together'to be bent against the body of the user, along the bottom sealing lines 16, so as to permit the of the constrictive zone and temporarily sealing the bottom of the bag along the bottom sealing lin'es 16. In this position, the seal is conveniently parted at about the center by exerting pressure on either side of the panels in a direction. perpendicular to the linear closure, as shown in FIG. 4. As soon as the seal is broken, digital pressure exerted along-the line of said linear closure by squeezing the ends thereof between a finger and the thumb will distend the closure to its full opening as shown in FIG. 5. When the closure 13 is turned downwardly, the bag is emptied in a convenient manner without contacting any of the fecal matter.

After the bag is drained, the closure 13 may be sealed by simply pressing the panels 14 and 15 against the body of the user, causing the ribs 18 and 21 on each panel to be interdigitated with the integral channels of each panel into fluid-impermeable, resealably interlocking relationship. If desired, the pouch 10 may be rinsed with water, after it has been emptied, by turning the bottomof the bag upwardly and distending the clo-.

supportin'g, fluidimpervious material such as is used for an ileostomy bag used by an ambulatory user. The postoperative pouch may be adapted to be supported by any convenient mounting means so as to becomfortably, securely disposed on a prone patient. The pouch is flow communicatively coupled through a coupling sleeve with a floorsupported accumulator for-fecal dis:

charge.

Referring now to FIG. 6, wherein a prone patient 30 is disposed on a bed'3l which isjno'rmally disposed some distance from the floor, shown generally at 32, a continually drainable, post-operative fecal pouch, shown generally at 33, is adapted to be mounted on a mounting device and secured to the body of the user.

The pouch 33 is of dual-wall construction and is heatsealed along the top and along its side walls. A peripheral seal 34 defines a Circular, stoma-receiving opening 35 which has a singlethickness, circular, plastic flange 36 around the circular opening. The circular opening 35 is disposed around the protruding stoma and the pouch hangs downwardly from the body of the user. As is seen in FIGS. 9 and 10, two panels 37 and 38 of flexible, easily distensible, plastic material form an opening, referred to generally as 39, at the discharge end of the pouch. The interior of the panels 37 .and 38 which form the discharge'end of the pouch is smooth. The exterior of each panel is provided with at least one rib'or linear protuberance 43, and more preferably, as is illustrated, two ribs 43 defining at least one channel in a direction orthogonal to the'longitudinal axis of the pouch, i.e.

two horizontally disposed ribs 41 adapted to besealingly engaged in the channel defined by ribs 43 to form a coupling with a smooth interior surface to permit easy passage of fecal-matter. 1

' The conduit 44 is normally made from a thermoplastic sheet material which is easily distensible, such as a tubular extrudate of a polyolefin with a sufficiently small wall thickness so as to have essentially no rigidity. Alternately, the conduit may be formed from a flexible but non-rigid extrudate of plastic material or overlapping, dual-walled panels, .the edges of which are heat sealed'to form a relatively flat, easily distensible conduit. A preferred conduit is one formed of a flexible, easily deformable and non-rigid polyethylene tubular extrudate. It will be recognized that, it is not essential thatthe conduit 44 be non-rigid; it will be found, however, that a rigid conduit to which the coupling portion 42 is connected, is not easily adapted to be pressingly coupled to the ribs'43 on the discharge end of the pouch. v

The other end of the coupling sleeve 40, which is the open end of the conduit 44, is sealingly disposed upon the neck of an accumulator shown generally at which rests on the floor 32, and is maintained in fluidtight communication with the accumulator 50 so as to place the accumulator in fluid communication with the continually drainable pouch 33. The lower end of the sleeve 40 is distensibly, exteriorly, removably disposed on the neck 51 of the'accumulator 50 and is preferably As is seen in FIGS. 8 and 11, the cap comprises an abbreviated sleeve, including a conduit section,

end of the pouch.

preferably made from the same extrudate as the conduit 44 of the sleeve 40, except that the lower end of the cap 60 is heat sealed to ensure it will be leak-proof. The open end of the-cap 60 is provided with ribs interlocking couplable with the discharge end of the pouch.

As shown in FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 10, both the sleeve 40 V V and the cap member 60 are provided with intcriorly sleeve 40, is lockingly secured to the, discharge end of the pouch 33 by pressing the ribs 43 into engagement with the corresponding oppositely 1 juxtapositioned channels '63 in the cap 60. 1 r

In operation, the stoma-receiving opening 35 of the post-operative pouch is disposed around the stoma and preferably adhesively secured to. the body of the patient with the discharge opening of the bag pointing down- .wards. The ribbed-upper end of the sleeve 40 is pressingly interdigitated with the ribs 43, on the easily distensible panels 37and 38 at the discharge end of the pouch 33 so as toform a fluid-conductive closure between the pouch and the sleeve. The other end of the sleeve is slipped around the outside of the neck of the accumulator 50 and secured thereto with-a releasable spring clip 52..Fecal matter draining from the stoma is discharged into the pouch, distends the easily distensible panel portions of'the'bag and proceeds unobstruct-- v ,edly through the smooth discharge end of the bag into thesleeve, which distends to accommodate the fecal matter. The sleeve 40 accommodates and guides the passage of fecal matter until it reaches the inlet of the accumulator 50 andis discharged into it. After a period of time, when the accumulator. is to be emptied, the sleeve 40'is uncoupled from the discharge end-ofthe bag by digitally'releasing the'interlocked ribs of the closure. The cap section 60 is then distended and slipped upon the ribs 43 of the discharge end of the pouch. By

pressing the panels 64 and 66 of the cap section onto the ribs, the ribs 43 are engaged in the channels defined by the interiorly disposed ribs in the panels on the cap section. When the accumulator 50' has been drained and the sleeve 40 cleaned, the cap section is removed 8 or linear protuberance (not shown) adapted to fit into the channels of the panel 73.

A secondary seal or closure 76 is provided. This seal comprises'a first strip 77 heat sealed to one face of the neck portion 71 to provide a flap having atleast tworibs or .linearprotuberances 78 defining at-least one channel 79 integral with the strip. A'second strip 80 is heat sealed to the other face of the neck portion 71 and has at least one rib or linear protuberance 81 adapted to fit into the channel 79. The secondary seal is formed by folding the area of theneck defined by the seal 72 twice, as is indicated in FIG. 12, so that the first strip 77 may be sealed to the second strip 80.

Another embodiment ofsuch a secondary sealing de- -vice is illustrated in FIGS. 14' and 15. A bag 90 has a narrowed neck portion 91 provided with a primary seal and the sleeve section is thencoupled to the discharge In some instances, it may be necessaryto form a One embodiment of such a secondary sealing device is illustrated in FIGS. '12 and 13. A bag has'a nar-l rowed bottomneck portion 71 provided with a primary seal or closure7 2. The closure 72 is the same closure as the closure 13 illustrated-in FIGS. 1 through 5, and includes one panel 73 (FIG. '13) having at least two ribs or linear parallelprotuberances 74defining channesl I integral with the panel. Another panel in overlapping relationship with thepanel 73 has at least one rib or closure 92.'The closure 92 is the same closure as the closure'l3 illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5. I

:Asecondary seal or closure 96 is provided. This seal comprises a pair of male snap fastener elements 97 heat sealed to one face of the neck portion 91. A pair of female snap fastener elements 98 is'heat sealed to the other face of the neck portion'9l. The'secondary seal is formed by folding the area of the neck defined by the seal 92 three times, as is indicated in FIG. 14, so that the snap fastener elements 97 and 98 may be engaged by finger pressure. v

A still further. embodiment of a secondary sealing device is illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17. A bag 100 has a narrowed neck portion 101 provided with a primary seal or closure 102. The closure 102 is the same closure as the closure 13'illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5.

' A secondary sealor closure 103is provided. Theseal comprises a pair of male snap fastenerelements 104 heat sealed to a flap 105, one edge 1060f which is in turnheat sealed to the bag 100. A pair of female snap fastener elements 107 is heat sealed to the neck portion 101. The secondary seal is formed by folding the area of the neck defined by the seal 102 two times, as is indicated in FIG. .16, so that the snap fastener elements 104 and 107 may be engaged by finger pressure. I v The scope of the invention is not limited to the slavish imitation of all of. the structural and operative demoving it from the user s stoma andreu'sable a plurality of times, comprising sidewalls defining a'bag body having a side opening defined by a peripheral seal adapted to be demountably disposed on a mounting means and adapted to receive the users stoma, and a resealable bottom closure sealingly connectedto the bottom of said sidewalls,.said'closure comprising two relatively stiff but flexible panels of thermoplastic synthetic resinous material in overlapping contacting relationship with each other sealinglyconnected at their side edges and 'sealingly connected-to the sidewalls of said bag, one panel having at least two ribs defining at least one channel integral with said one panel and disposed. in a direction orthogonalv to the longitudinal axis of said bag, the other panel having atleast one rib adapted to fit into a juxtapositioned channel of said one panel to form a fluid-tight," gas-impermeable linear closure'for the'bottom of said bag. t i

2. The article of claim 1 wherein said bag is a dualwalledbag having inner and outer layers and saidpan- (a) or (b).

6.'The device of claim 5 wherein said panels are coupled to upper coupling portions of said, (a) or (b) by pressingly engaging at least one rib into a channel bottom closure sealingly connected to. the bottom of said sidewalls along a bottom sealing line, said closure comprising two relatively stiff but flexible panels of thermoplastic synthetic resinous material in overlapping contacting relationship with each other sealingly connected at their sides, each panel having at least two ribs defining at least, one channel integral with each panel disposed in adirection orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of saidbag, at least one rib of one panel being adapted to fit into a juxtapositioned channel of the other panel to form a fluid-tight, gas-impermeable linear closure at the lower portion of said panels, the

upper portion of said relatively stiff panels defining a selectively fluid -permeable butglob-tight constrictive zone, said panels being'stiffly bendable together along said bottom sealing line while maintaining said linear closure without distoring it and thereafter being digitally openable without any portion of the opening hand contacting fecal matter within said bag, and distensible to the full extent of said linear closure by oppositely directed digital pressure along the longitudinal axis of said linear closure, to permit emptying of all the fecal matter in said bag without allowing globs to be entrapped within said constrictive zone or said channel.

' flexible panels formed from a thermoplastic, synthetic,

resinous material in overlapping relationship with each adapted to engage said rib to form a fluid-conductive seal.

7. The device of claim 5 wherein said panels have at least one exterior rib or at least one channel defined by two exterior ribs integral with each panel, said rib or ribs being disposed in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of said pouch whereby said pouch is couplingly engageable in fecal communication with (a) or 8. A stoma bag adapted to be emptied without removing it from the user s stoma and reusable a plurality of times, comprising sidewalls defining a bag body having a side opening defined by a peripheral seal adapted least one channel integral with said one panel and disposed in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of said bag, the other panel having at least one rib adapted to fit into a juxtapositioned channel of said one panel to form a fluid-tight, gas-impermeable primary linear closure for the bottom of said bag, and a secondary resealable bottom closure, said secondary closure comprising first and second sealing elements at the bottom of the bag and vertically spaced with respect to each other so that the-bag may be folded at least once to mate with said sealing elements.

9. A stoma bag according to claim 8', wherein saidsealing elements are snap fasteners comprising malesealing elements comprise a first strip having at least other sealingly connected at their side edges to provide an easily distensible openinghaving smooth inner walls, said panels including'integral fastening means to couplingly engage said pouch in fecal communication with two ribs defining at least one channel, and a second strip having at least one rib adapted to fit into a channel of said first strip. =l 

1. A stoma bag adapted to be emptied without removing it from the user''s stoma and reusable a plurality of times, comprising sidewalls defining a bag body having a side opening defined by a peripheral seal adapted to be demountably disposed on a mounting means and adapted to receive the user''s stoma, and a resealable bottom closure sealingly connected to the bottom of said sidewalls, said closure comprising two relatively stiff but flexible panels of thermoplastic synthetic resinous material in overlapping contacting relationship with each other sealingly connected at their side edges and sealingly connected to the sidewalls of said bag, one panel having at least two ribs defining at least one channel integral with said one panel and disposed in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of said bag, the other panel having at least one rib adapted to fit into a juxtapositioned channel of said one panel to form a fluidtight, gas-impermeable linear closure for the bottom of said bag.
 2. The article of claim 1 wherein said bag is a dual-walled bag having inner and outer layers and said panels are sealingly connected to fecal discharge-retaining sidewalls of said bag.
 3. A stoma bag adapted to be emptied without removing it from the user''s stoma and reusable a plurality of times, comprising sidewalls defining a bag body having a side opening defined by a peripheral seal adapted to be demountably disposed on a mounting means and adapted to receive the user''s stoma, and a resealable bottom closure sealingly connected to the bottom of said sidewalls along a bottom sealing line, said closure comprising two relatively stiff but flexible panels of thermoplastic synthetic resinous material in overlapping contacting relationship with each other sealingly connected at their sides, each panel having at least two ribs defining at least one channel integral with each panel disposed in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of said bag, at least one rib of one panel being adapted to fit into a juxtapositioned channel of the other panel to form a fluid-tight, gas-impermeable linear closure at the lower portion of said panels, the upper portion of said relatively stiff panels defining a selectively fluid-permeable but glob-tight constrictive zone, said panels being stiffly bendable together along said bottom sealing line while maintaining said linear closure without distoring it and thereafter being digitally openable without any portion of the opening hand contacting fecal matter within said bag, and distensible to the full extent of said linear closure by oppositely directed digital pressure along the longitudinal axis of said linear closure, to permit emptying of all the fecal matter in said bag without allowing globs to be entrapped within said constrictive zone or said channel.
 4. The article of claim 3 wherein said bag is a dual-walled bag having inner and outer layers and said panels are sealingly connected to the discharge retaining sidewalls of said bag.
 5. A gravity-drainable, post-operative pouch adapted to be used by a bedridden patient, said pouch having an open discharge end selectively couplable with (a) a coupling sleeve adapted to drain fecal discharge continually into an accumulator or (b) a cap section when said sleeve is uncoupled, said discharge end comprising flexible panels formed from a thermoplastic, synthetic, resinous material in overlapping relationship with each other sealingly connected at their side edges to provide an easily distensible opening having smooth inner walls, said panels including integral fastening means to couplingly engage said pouch in fecal communication with (a) or (b).
 6. The device of claim 5 wherein said panels are coupled to upper coupling portions of said (a) or (b) by pressingly engaging at least one rib into a channel adapted to engage said rib to form a fluid-coNductive seal.
 7. The device of claim 5 wherein said panels have at least one exterior rib or at least one channel defined by two exterior ribs integral with each panel, said rib or ribs being disposed in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of said pouch whereby said pouch is couplingly engageable in fecal communication with (a) or (b).
 8. A stoma bag adapted to be emptied without removing it from the user''s stoma and reusable a plurality of times, comprising sidewalls defining a bag body having a side opening defined by a peripheral seal adapted to be demountably disposed on a mounting means and adapted to receive the user''s stoma, a primary resealable bottom closure sealingly connected to the bottom of said sidewalls, said primary closure comprising two relatively stiff but flexible panels of thermoplastic synthetic resinous material in overlapping contacting relationship with each other sealingly connected at their side edges and sealingly connected to the sidewalls of said bag, one panel having at least two ribs defining at least one channel integral with said one panel and disposed in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of said bag, the other panel having at least one rib adapted to fit into a juxtapositioned channel of said one panel to form a fluid-tight, gas-impermeable primary linear closure for the bottom of said bag, and a secondary resealable bottom closure, said secondary closure comprising first and second sealing elements at the bottom of the bag and vertically spaced with respect to each other so that the bag may be folded at least once to mate with said sealing elements.
 9. A stoma bag according to claim 8, wherein said sealing elements are snap fasteners comprising male and female mating elements.
 10. A stoma bag according to claim 9, wherein a mating element is provided on a flap fixed to said bag.
 11. A stoma bag according to claim 10, wherein said mating element is a male mating element.
 12. A stoma bag according to claim 8, wherein said sealing elements comprise a first strip having at least two ribs defining at least one channel, and a second strip having at least one rib adapted to fit into a channel of said first strip. 